Security on the King's Highway
Page 35
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COMMERCIAL-VEHICLE drivers, no less than private motorists, are concerned with the menace of highwaymen which, after a lapse of a hundred years or so, again threatens the security of our roads. The development is not unnatural, even in a law-abiding country, for industrialization has brought about a concentrated population that renders crime more difficult in the big towns, whilst the open highways offer a certain attraction to the hardened Valuable cargoes are transported by motor vehicles and their protection is of vital interest to the country. Early and effective steps must be taken to make this protection absolute, so that the lawless may find their activities fraught with such danger to themselves that they will abandon them.
Here is an opportunity for the police to divert their attention from the apprehending of petty technical offences to the execution of a valuable national duty. The motor patrols can do better work by co-operating with commercial-motor drivers than ever they have done when regarding them as potential victims of persecution over trivial matters.
Indeed, the police may find, in carrying out their work, a considerable source of help in the lorry drivers. Many of these operate at night on regular trunk routes and become closely familiar with characteristics and personalities of the road. By reporting unusual or suspicious occurrences they can do much to help the police. Above all, they should be wary of halting to give lifts to strange people and should make the most of the advantageous position afforded by their well-built cabs. Loads should be battened down and van doors properly locked.